Page 77 of The Dating Prohibition
Kendra blew out a breath, smoothing her hand over her hair as fresh tears began to fall. She nodded as her brother wrapped an arm around her shoulders. “I don’t know when I started feeling this way, but yeah.” She sniffled and looked down at her feet. “You know, there have been a lot of peoplewho I’ve been able to get over pretty, pretty easily. I don’t think he’s gonna be one of them.”
“What do you wanna do?”
“I don’t know. I need some time to think. Can you not put me on the schedule this coming week?”
“Sure, of course. But, I care more about you than I do the schedule. Is there something I can do to help? I want to be therefor you.”
“You are. You do so much already. I’m living in your house, working at your restaurant. You take care of me more than youknow. Probably more than you should.”
“Yeah, but those are just things. You’re a whole person, and you’ve been having a hard time.”
She bit her lip and nodded, tears threatening to fall again. “I have, but I’ll be fine. I’ll figure it out. I had come backto talk through a business proposal I got with both of you, but the more I think about it, the more I don’t want it.”
“Do you want to talk about it now?”
She shook her head. “Maybe in a couple days. I just need to get my head straight.”
“Okay. I’m sorry, sis.”
“There’s nothing to be sorry about.” As she stood, he wrapped his arms around her and she buried her face in his shoulder.She took a deep, calming breath as they released each other. “Thanks, bro.”
“You have nothing to thank me for. I’m just doing my job.”
She nodded, heading toward the car door.
“Call me if you need me,” he yelled after her.
“I will.”
“Keke, open up!” Lani’s fist pounded against the front door. “Open up, heffa. You know my legs aren’t strong enough tokick the door down, but I’ll figure this shit out if I have to,” she yelled.
Kendra sucked her teeth and rolled her eyes as she walked toward the door. The banging continued as she threw back the deadbolt and swung the door open.
“Do you ever do anything quietly?” she deadpanned.
Lani rushed in, throwing her arms around her cousin. “Are you okay? I was seating a table, but I saw you storm out, and youlooked so upset, and then I saw Logan follow you, and I saw Shonda burst into tears.”
“Speaking of,” a voice called from outside the door. Shonda warily stepped into view. “Can I come in?” she asked tentatively.
Kendra nodded, gesturing for her to come in and closed the door behind them. “Can I get y’all something to drink?”
“Are you drinking?” Lani asked.
Kendra nodded. “There’s an open bottle of wine on the island and I can get y’all some glasses.”
“Okay,” Shonda murmured and nodded. Lani too.
They sat around the island on stools. Kendra leaned forward, her arms resting on the counter as her fingers circled the stemof her glass.
Lani cleared her throat and widened her eyes at Shonda, who hung her head.
“Kendra, I—”
“It’s fine, Shonda. I’m sorry I snapped at you—I shouldn’t have. I was really upset in the heat of the moment, and you’remy sister. I just wasn’t ready for Logan to become involved.”
“No, I completely understand and I overstepped. I did. And it won’t happen again. You know, as sisters, I know that thereare times when I trust you with things and you don’t go blabbing to your brother. I should have afforded you that same respect.And I fell short, so I’m really sorry.”
“Come here.” Kendra gestured, opening her arms to Shonda.
